Valley Health System, one of New Jersey’s busiest hospitals and multi-specialty networks, is welcoming new leadership.

In a July 1 press release, the regional health care system announced the appointment of Dr. Robert Brenner as CEO. In his new role, Brenner replaces longtime Chief Executive Officer Audrey Meyers, who will assume the role of system CEO emeritus, Valley said.

As president and CEO, Brenner, in partnership with the system’s board of trustees, will lead Valley’s overall vision, strategic development, future programming and service expansion. He will also oversee operations of The Valley Hospital in Paramus, hospice agency Valley Home Care and outpatient practice Valley Medical Group.

“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve our patients, our staff, our volunteers, and the community,” Brenner commented on his promotion, adding, “I am unbelievably fortunate to be working with such a talented and dedicated Board of Trustees and a skilled, high-performing leadership team. I thank the Board and Valley’s leadership and staff – especially Audrey Meyers – for their confidence and support.”

Brenner joined Valley in 2015 as the system’s first senior vice president and chief physician executive. Four years later, a promotion made him president of clinical integration and physician enterprise.

Earlier this year, Valley elevated Brenner to president. When he took on the title from Meyers in January, the network said she’d continue as CEO after serving in the joint role since 1999.

Valley credited Brenner with numerous accomplishments, including growing its Population Health program. The initiative oversees care for more than 90,000 patients.

On campus

Brenner also played a part in launching ColigoCare, Valley’s accountable care organization and clinically integrated network. With the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, he initiated Valley’s first two graduate medical education programs in internal medicine and OB/GYN. Brenner was also instrumental in growing the system’s medical group and home care as well as planning for the new Paramus facility.

Prior to joining Valley, Brenner was chief medical officer at Summit Medical Group and a senior executive at Mountainside Hospital/Atlantic Health System.

According to Valley, Meyers will serve as an honorary trustee of the system board of trustees as well as continue as a member of the foundation board of trustees.

As system CEO emeritus, Meyers will oversee the repurposing of Valley Health System – Ridgewood Campus, where she will maintain an office, Valley said. Meyers work will involve relocating system clinical services and business functions from other locations to Ridgewood. Additionally, she will explore opportunities to expand the continuum of health care services on campus.

Meyers said, “It has been my honor to be a part of the Valley family for more than 44 years and a privilege to lead Valley for more than 25 years.”

“Having recently celebrated the milestone of opening our new campus in Paramus, it is the right time to appoint Rob as our System President and CEO,” said Meyers. “He has the vision, the experience, the talent, and the skills to ensure Valley’s continued success.”

In April, Valley relocated from its longtime home in Ridgewood to a state-of-the-art hospital in Paramus. The $868 million facility’s design aims to unite inpatient, outpatient, emergency and surgical care on a 40-acre campus in the heart of one of Bergen County’s busiest communities.

‘An incredibly special place’

Valley’s facility in Ridgewood will remain open for some outpatient services. Those will include lab work, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, wound care and the breast center. The campus will also house Valley’s Graduate Medical Education programs and the Valley Hospital Community Care Clinic.

Kevin Lobo, chair of the system board of trustees, thanked Meyers “for her years of visionary leadership and success, culminating in the opening of the new Paramus hospital campus.” He went on to express how fortunate Valley is to have her “lead the transformation of Ridgewood into an ambulatory care campus.”

“Valley has embarked on a new and exciting chapter, one that will enhance the care it will provide its patients and the community in ways previously unseen. Against that backdrop, we are pleased to appoint Rob as System President and CEO. His passion for employing innovative ways to manage care, his dedication to educating the next generation of doctors, and his ability to prepare for the future of health care will serve Valley and the community very well. On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, we look forward to working with Rob and the leadership team to ensure Valley’s continued growth and success,” Lobo said.

Brenner vowed to “maintain Valley’s extraordinary culture.”

“Valley is an incredibly special place, and I am privileged to continue to uphold its values of serving and caring. Secondly, Valley’s hallmark of success has been continued growth. With our new acute care facility, the expansion of our network, and the start of graduate medical education, Valley is at a new beginning with a very bright future. I am honored to lead Valley at this momentous time in its history,” he stated.